Trojan For Trojan: Week 10
A USC alum’s weekly take on Trojan football
In what was almost a defensive meltdown for USC, the Trojans defeated the Arizona Wildcats last night 49–35.
By just looking at the final score alone, you wouldn’t know that it was a tale of two completely different haves. With an hour long third quarter, record breaking Ronald Jones, and a near upset worthy comeback from Arizona’s Khalil Tate, this one was an emotional roller coaster for both sides.
Let’s jump right into a true #Pac12AfterDark showing:
The Good:
Ronald Jones
The star running back finished the game with 27 carries, 194 yards, and 3 touchdowns.
For the second straight season Rojo rushed for 1,000+ yards, becoming the first Trojan to do so since LenDale White in 2004–2005. He also barreled his way into the 9th spot on USC’s career rushing list, with 3,151 yards.
Jones only needs 19 more yards to surpass Trojan legend Reggie Bush with 3,169. A feat that probably will happen next week against Colorado.
Aca’Cedric Ware
USC’s #2 running back for the night showed fans it’s not all about Rojo. Ware finished the game with 122 yards, 1 touchdown, and an average of 8.7 yards per carry. After what many believed was going to be the Stephen Carr comeback show (the RB finished with 10 yards), Ware’s breakout was a pleasant surprise.
USC’S first half
USC pulled off a near perfect first half defensively, shutting down Tate (the Pac 12’s first 1,000 yard rushing quarterback) to only 56 yards and no touchdowns. This being quite the feat considering Tate was averaging 13.5 yards per carry coming into the game and had scored in every half since taking over at QB for the Wildcats.
Another notable stat for the Trojan defense was sacking Tate five times through two quarters. Arizona had only allowed five sacks all year before last night. USC’s pass rush continues to be the best it has been in years, and that’s even without starter Porter Gustin on the defensive line.
The Trojan special teams who have been struggling this year, had a shinning moment early in the first quarter that put them up 7–0, after Jalen Green (no not John Houston Jr.), returned a blocked punt to the end zone.
Sam Darnold
Despite throwing the worst interception of his career in the end zone, Darnold finds himself on my good list after 311 yards, two touchdowns, and two very pretty perfectly placed balls to Steven Mitchell Jr. and Jones. Those two throws were such a thing of beauty, I’ll even insert them below for your viewing pleasure.
The Bad:
Points left off the board
In the first quarter USC had two promising red zone drives that resulted in zero points, as well as another coming just before the end of the first half. Had the Trojans managed to finish on all three, the score could have been 42–6 at halftime, and Arizona’s nearly fatal comeback wouldn’t have had a chance in the first place.
Second half defense
After shutting down the Pac 12’s hottest quarterback in the first half, the Trojan defense looked like a completely different team coming into what would be an hour long third quarter (thanks to flag happy confused refs). The defense allowed a 22 point comeback for Khalil Tate, who was down 28–6 in the middle of the third.
After USC penalties having their own march down the field moment and Tate having multiple comeback scoring drives, the Trojans found themselves tied at 35 early in the fourth quarter.
The Redeemed:
Second half defense
With more Tate wonder-drives looming, the Trojans pulled themselves together with their backs against the Coliseum wall in the fourth quarter.
An interception by Ajene Harris and a literal gut-wrenching one from John Houston Jr. (see below), doused the on-fire Tate and set the USC offense up to score twice more and seal the deal.
After pulling themselves out of a self-inflicted hole, the Trojans for better or for worse showed why you should never turn off #Pac12AfterDark.
Dina Colunga is a proud USC alum whose words can be found at Ball Control Offense, The Unprofessionals, and Reign of Troy. Connect with her on Twitter @alwayscompete, and Instagram @dinatrojan.
